L’Oreal Canada has launched For Girls in Science, an initiative to encourage high school girls to pursue careers in science. The program follows the one created in 1998 by L’Oréal and UNESCO – For Women in Science – which is now among the most prestigious programs of its kind.

To announce the launch, L’Oreal Canada hosted a ceremony on January 21st at the French embassy in Ottawa. At the ceremony, seven Canadian women researchers were awarded top honors under the L’Oréal Canada For Women in Science Program with the support of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

About the Program

L’Oréal Canada For Girls in Science is a one-of-a-kind program for high school students. The program is a joint initiative with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and Youth Science Canada.

In spring 2016, girls and boys at UNESCO network schools will take part in interactive workshops designed to make careers in science more attractive, while breaking down the persistent stereotypes regarding women in the sciences.

L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science fellowship winners and women scientists at L’Oréal Canada will participate as mentors.

“It is both a great honor and a great responsibility to be a role model for these teens,” said Katherine Farrajota, Manager, Drug Regulatory Affairs, L’Oréal Canada. “Working in the sciences ourselves, we’re well aware of the need to attract more women to these professions. The L’Oréal Canada For Girls in Science Program is therefore a great opportunity to reach girls right when they’re thinking about their professional future.”

The fellowship winners will take part in creating Web capsules for girls age 15 to 18 to provide information and support them in their decision-making process.

The Benefit

More than 2,250 scientists from over 110 countries have benefited from For Women in Science. In addition, national programs have been created in some sixty countries. L’Oréal Canada For Women in Science was launched in 2003, and has awarded nearly 50 fellowships.

“The 2015 winners of the L’Oréal Canada For Women in Science Program fellowship embody the values of excellence, hard work, and innovation we want to encourage and support, in cooperation with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO,” said Frank Kollmar, President & CEO, L’Oréal Canada. “They are clear proof of the important role of Canadian women scientists, whose exceptional work contributes to the advancement of science and knowledge.”

Shown Above

The photo above shows L’Oreal For Women in Science 2015 fellowship winners, as well as the two recipients of the 2015 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science – NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship Supplement.

Shown in the photo, left to right: Nausheen Sadiq, B. Mario Pinto, Vanessa D’Costa, Christina Cameron, Megan Eva, Nicolas Chapuis, Jean-Christophe Auffray, Michelle Annett, Mona Nemer, Paul Davidson, Kathryn Hargan, Alicja Gasecka – with Frank Kollmar, president & CEO, L’Oréal Canada.